Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,338 – 6,384

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
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Incident Date Publication Date

Incident Date

17 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3692

Location

Ma’aret Al Nu’man, Idlib, Syria
معرة النعمان
Seven civilians, including four women and a child, were killed and dozens were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on a market in the city of Ma'arat Al Numan, Idlib governorate, on May 17th, 2019, according to local sources. Euphrates Post reported that a number of civilians were injured in an airstrike by…

Summary

Published
17 May 2019
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Incident Date

15 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3691

Location

Um Nair, Idlib, Syria
أم النير
A civilian male was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Umm Nair in Jabal Shashbwa on May 15th, according to local sources. Justice Organization wrote that “civilian Shadi Muhammad Al Omair was killed by the bombing of the regime’s helicopters with explosive barrels on the village of Umm Nair in Jabal Shahshabo in the…

Summary

Published
15 May 2019
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Incident Date

14 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3689

Location

Heesh, Idlib, Syria
حيش
A man was killed and three other civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Heesh, Idlib governorate, on May 14th, 2019, according to local sources. Justice Organisation wrote: "One person was killed and 3 people were wounded as a result of the shelling of the Russian warplanes and…

Summary

Published
14 May 2019
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Incident Date

14 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3690

Location

Al Souq Al Sha’bi (Al Sha’bi market) in Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria
السوق الشعبي في جسر الشغور
Up to eight civilians, including a child, were killed and up to 20 were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Samak market and a school in the centre of Jisr Al Shughour on May 14, 2020, according to local sources. @Wesal_TV reported: "Civilian martyrs and wounded as a result of a…

Summary

Published
14 May 2019
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Incident Date

14 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3688

Location

Shahrnaz, Hama, Syria
شهرناز
Local sources reported that an alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrike killed a 75-year-old man in Shahrnaz in the countryside of Hama on May 14th, 2019. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported "Oqla Jassem Al-Hamoud, aged 75, was killed when helicopters of the Syrian regime forces, fired several barrel bombs on the village…

Summary

Published
14 May 2019
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Incident Date

13 May 2019

Incident Code

RS3687

Location

Kafar Nubul , Idlib, Syria
كفر نبل
Two missiles struck the Syrian Civil Defense Center, destroying the building and damaging several vehicles, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that "fixed-wing warplanes" believed to be Russian fired the missiles. The director of the Syrian Civil Defense forces was allegedly lightly wounded in the attack. Smart News posted a…

Summary

Published
13 May 2019
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